# US 2017/0281178 A1 · Surgical stapling system comprising a shiftable transmission > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281178 A1 - Document ID: US20170281178A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,258 - Filed: 2016-04-01 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC - Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Adam D. Hensel; Shailendra K. Parihar; Pinaki Mukherjee; Jason L. Harris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281178A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) - A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor - A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position} - A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation} - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00128: {related to intensity or progress of surgical action} - A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display} - A61B 2017/00305: {Constructional details of the flexible means} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/00424: {ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system} - A61B 2017/00946: {malleable} - A61B 2017/00964: {composite} - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07221: {curved} - A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples} - A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials} - A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston} - A61B 2017/292: {connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess} - A61B 2017/2922: {toggle linkages} - A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means} - A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself} - A61B 2090/08021: {of the patient or his organs} - A61B 2090/0808: {for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus} - A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument} - A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A stapling instrument system is disclosed that comprises an instrument comprising a handle and an output and, in addition, an interchangeable tool assembly attachable to the instrument. The interchangeable tool assembly comprises a housing, a drive input operably engageable with the output, and an end effector comprising a first rotatable output shaft, a second rotatable output shaft, and a transmission configurable in three operating states which selectively couple the first and second rotatable output shafts with the drive input. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stapling instrument system, comprising: an instrument comprising a handle and an output; and an interchangeable tool assembly attachable to said instrument, comprising: a housing; a drive input operably engageable with said output; and an end effector, comprising: a first rotatable output shaft; a second rotatable output shaft; and a transmission configurable in three operating states: a first operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said first rotatable output shaft and operably decoupled from said second rotatable output shaft; a second operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said second rotatable output shaft and operably decoupled from said first rotatable output shaft; and a third operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said first rotatable output shaft and said second rotatable output shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stapling instrument system of claim 1, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, and wherein said first rotatable output shaft is part of a staple firing system configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The stapling instrument system of claim 2, wherein said end effector further comprises a cutting member configured to incise tissue captured within said end effector, and wherein said second rotatable output shaft is operably engaged with said cutting member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The stapling instrument system of claim 2, wherein said end effector further comprises an anvil configured to deform said staples, and wherein said second rotatable output shaft is part of a closure system configured to move said anvil between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The stapling instrument system of claim 1, wherein said end effector further comprises a cutting member configured to incise tissue captured within said end effector, and wherein said first rotatable output shaft is operably engaged with said cutting member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The stapling instrument system of claim 5, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein and an anvil configured to deform said staples, and wherein said second rotatable output shaft is part of a closure system configured to move said anvil between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The stapling instrument system of claim 1, wherein said end effector comprises a frame, wherein said transmission comprises an electrically-driven actuator mounted to said frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The stapling instrument system of claim 1, wherein said first rotatable output shaft and said second rotatable output shaft are coaxial. ### Claim 9 An interchangeable tool assembly, comprising: a housing; a rotatable drive input; and an end effector, comprising: a first rotatable output shaft; a second rotatable output shaft; and a transmission configurable in three operating states: a first operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said first rotatable output shaft and operably decoupled from said second rotatable output shaft; a second operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said second rotatable output shaft and operably decoupled from said first rotatable output shaft; and a third operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said first rotatable output shaft and said second rotatable output shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The interchangeable tool assembly of claim 9, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, and wherein said first rotatable output shaft is part of a staple firing system configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The interchangeable tool assembly of claim 10, wherein said end effector further comprises a cutting member configured to incise tissue captured within said end effector, and wherein said second rotatable output shaft is operably engaged with said cutting member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The interchangeable tool assembly of claim 10, wherein said end effector further comprises an anvil configured to deform said staples, and wherein said second rotatable output shaft is part of a closure system configured to move said anvil between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The interchangeable tool assembly of claim 9, wherein said end effector further comprises a cutting member configured to incise tissue captured within said end effector, and wherein said first rotatable output shaft is operably engaged with said cutting member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The interchangeable tool assembly of claim 13, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein and an anvil configured to deform said staples, and wherein said second rotatable output shaft is part of a closure system configured to move said anvil between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The interchangeable tool assembly of claim 9, wherein said end effector comprises a frame, wherein said transmission comprises an electrically-driven actuator mounted to said frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The interchangeable tool assembly of claim 9, wherein said first rotatable output shaft and said second rotatable output shaft are coaxial. ### Claim 17 An interchangeable tool assembly, comprising: a housing; a rotatable drive input; and an end effector, comprising: a first rotatable output shaft; a second rotatable output shaft; and an electrically-actuated toggle configurable in three operating configurations: a first operating configuration in which said drive input is operably coupled with said first rotatable output shaft and operably decoupled from said second rotatable output shaft; a second operating configuration in which said drive input is operably coupled with said second rotatable output shaft and operably decoupled from said first rotatable output shaft; and a third operating configuration in which said drive input is operably coupled with said first rotatable output shaft and said second rotatable output shaft.